Indonesia names, commissions two new Sampari-class 60-meter fast attack missile boats

 

The KRI Kapak and KRI Panah during tests. Photo c/o Antara News.

The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) held a ship naming and commissioning ceremony for its two new Sampari-class 60-meter fast attack missile boats

The two boats, which were named KRI Kapak (625) and KRI Panah (626) were named during ceremonies held at Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL’s facility in Surabaya, East Java on 17 May 2023.

TNI-AL Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali led the ceremonies which was also attended by senior officials from the TNI-AL, Indonesian Ministry of Defence, and PT PAL.

The ships were named after traditional weapons from Indonesia’s Papua region, with “Kapak” meaning “hatchet”, and “Panah” which means “Arrow”, which both symbolises Papua’s unity, integrity, love, and pride that is inseparable from the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.

The Sampari-class, also known as the KCR-60M fast attack missile boats, were designed and built by PT PAL, with KRI Kapak and KRI Panah already part of a third batch which incorporates several improvements in its hull design, learning from earlier experiences with the first two batches delivered to the TNI-AL.

The two ships are armed with a BAE Systems Bofors Mk.3 57mm naval gun, two 20mm secondary guns, and two twin launchers for MBDA Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles. They are also equipped with combat management system and decoy launching systems from Terma.

The KCR-60M are around 60 meters long, displaces at around 500 tons, has a maximum speed of 30 knots, and a range of 2,400 nautical miles at cruising speed.

Both ships would be assigned with the TNI-AL’s Fleet Command III (Koarmada III) based in Western Papua.

[1] Antara News

[2] Naval News

[3] TV One News